Snakebite envenoming in Aligarh, North India

In India, more than 60 species of venomous snakes are found from Himalayas down to Cape Comorin and snake bite envenoming is an ever present occupational risk and environmental hazard. According to WHO direct estimates India has the highest number of deaths due to snake bites in the world with 35,000-50,000 people dying per year. Clinicians have for a long time witnessed the tragic neglect of snake bite patients because of many associated myths, mainly propagated by cinema and TV serials. People believe that snakes take revenge against those who harmed them in previous births and also cutting across all distinction between rich or poor, educated or illiterate, it is an ingrained belief that belligerent snake should be burnt after killing as the picture of its killer gets recorded in the eyes of it. Later, the female snake identifies the killer by seeing the eyes of the killed snake and take revenge. Hence the snake is usually not available to identify its species. Further, due to deep rooted superstitions and strong beliefs people often resort to unscientific and traditional methods of management thus causing significant delay in arriving at health care centers.